Giveaway: Shabby Apple (CLOSED)

It's Friday. It's beautiful outside, and I'm kicking off one last long weekend with Joe before he embarks on his South American adventure. But enough about me, I think you all deserve a reward for making it through the week, too...

...so I'm pretty psyched to offer the beautiful Overboard dress from Shabby Apple as a giveaway this week! Shabby Apple has a great collection of classic and vintage-inspired dresses (and their adorable photoshoots aren't bad either...I want to pose in a pretty dress by the Spanish Steps!). But I'm just smitten with this blue-and-white gingham shirt-dress. Perfect for setting sail on the open seas, sipping lattes in an outdoor cafe, or enjoying a barbecue dinner after a day in the garden.

To enter, simply:

1. Visit Shabby Apple and ogle their wares.

2. Leave a comment here, telling me either about a favorite summer food (salad, BBQ, refreshing mixed drink...surprise me!) or suggesting some new music for me to rock out to this summer.

3. Make sure your email address is included in your comment.

I'll select a winner next Sunday, June 26. And for those of you who just can't wait until then, you can swing over to Shabby Apple and use the discount code "laundrydays10off" to get 10% off any order from the site! Good luck!


...and the winner is comment #49, VickZinn! Congratulations! I'll be in touch shortly to coordinate!

Review and Giveaway: Sperry Top-Sider Boots - CLOSED

Happy Friday! It's been a hard few weeks, no? I think we all need a bit of a pick-me-up this morning, something exciting to start your weekend off with a bang. I think I have just the thing...


I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by Sperry Top-Sider, who offered up two pairs of boots from their new fall collection for me to review. I was thrilled about this, understandably, and picked two lovely pairs of boots to call my own, the Women's Northstar Boot and the Women's Pelican Tall Boot. Let's talk about the rainboot (the Pelican) first, since I don't have a picture of it with which to woo you (I mean, come on, I wore them during the Chiclone, I think my camera would have just up and blown away if I had attempted a picture). I don't know if you know this, but I broke some rainboots awhile ago. I wore them in January, because I didn't have snowboots at the time, and the freezing temperatures literally cracked the rubber. So I've been in the market for a new pair ever since. And to be honest, I love these. I've only ever had galoshes from Target or Old Navy, and while they do the trick in terms of waterproof-ness, they are decidedly uncomfortable. The Pelican boots are cozy and warm and comfortable, and totally chic. Yes, it's a steep price tag ($75), so I probably wouldn't have sprung for them myself, to be honest, but they are clearly superior to my old, cracked, brokedown pair.

Now for the Northstar Boot. I heart this boot. I plan to wear this boot as often as possible. I want to be known as the girl who wears the same boots everyday, because that means I'll be wearing these boots everyday. Again, in all honesty, they're way out of my price range (these lovelies come in at $180). There's also something a bit goofy about the design, kind of as if someone attached a tall leather shaft to the classic Sperry's boat shoe style, but I'm quickly coming to love that quirkiness, and can forgive the high price because of the insanely soft leather, ridiculously comfy footbed, and undeniably fantastic style.

Now for the good part! Sperry has also offered to giveaway one pair of select Sperry-Top Sider Fall 2010 boots to a very lucky Between Laundry Days reader! All you have to do is follow Between Laundry Days, check out the Sperry-Top Sider Fall 2010 collection, and fill out this handy-dandy form. Then just start wishing away (or pray to the pagan gods, or Satan, since it is Halloween weekend. Whatever you'd prefer). Good luck!

Laundry Day: So Freakin' Bad

Well, kids, I'm apparently a fan of the late deadline, but I couldn't help but enter Merl's fabulous contest before the clock runs out. Merl is a fantastically lovely, funny, creative Midwest lady and a particular blog crush of mine, so it's only natural that I'd jump at a chance to blow $100 on her creations. If any of you care to do the same, you've got until midnight tonight. *oooOOOoooo* (supposed to be creepy werewolf/horror/Halloween movie noises)

Title song: Travis "Travie" McCoy, "Billionaire"

Review and Giveaway: Misikko Hana Elite Flat Iron! - CLOSED

So, I love my hair, I really do. I love the short, sassy pixie, and I love that it's thick and unruly. But as it starts to grow out, even just a little bit, it gets...well, how do I put this?...batshit crazy.

See exhibits 1 through 3 below:

Exhibit 1: Cute and all, but seriously wave-city

Exhibit 2: In which I contain the crazy with a flower pin

Exhibit 3: I mean, seriously, look at those sideburns!

Of course, the ridiculous summer humidity only makes things more unkempt. I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to get my hairs trimmed recently, so they're getting to that phase. So when Misikko approached me to ask if I'd be interested in reviewing one of their flat irons, I figured I probably didn't have much to lose (except those beloved sideburns, if I happened to singe them off with a too-hot iron). Anyway, here's what they sent me. Adorable, no?

So yesterday I went about straightening my little pixie. I was skeptical, to be honest. I mean, I don't have much hair, and I wasn't at all convinced that even a really nice straightener would make much of a difference. The Conair flat iron that I have now entails a 30 minute battle, and my hair ends up poofy and not remotely sleek. So I went into it ready to be entirely underwhelmed. Instead, this is what happened:

Exhibit 1: Sprinkling what I can only assume is Misikko's magic fairy dust on my miraculously straightened hair

Exhibit 2: Pointing out the delightful sleekness of my now-straight hair

Exhibit 3: Feels so goooood...

Exhibit 4: In awe of the awesomeness

Anyway, literally one run-through with the Hana Elite, and I was a convert. And despite the fact that it showed me just how uneven my current haircut is, I flipping love this thing.

And...miracle of miracles, I get to give one Hana Elite 1" flat iron to one of my readers (they have lots of awesome models, too, including the Chi flat iron and the Corioliss Classic flat iron)! All you have to do to enter the giveaway is leave a comment on this post, with a valid email address (comments without an email address will not be counted). And I'm usually stingy with allowing extra entries, but the folks at Misikko are a lot nicer than I am, so you get a whole handful of extra entries! Be sure to leave an extra comment on this post if you do any of the following:

1. Follow Misikko on Twitter (@misikko)
2. Blog about the giveaway on a personal website.
3. Join Misikko’s newsletter (3 extra entries)
4. “Like” Misikko on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MisikkoBeauty)

The winner must be from the US or Canada. I'll select a winner at random on Friday, August 6.

Good luck!!

UPDATE 8/6/10: The giveaway is now closed. I'll be announcing a winner in today's post. Thanks for entering, everyone!!

Lace on Satin

Shirt: Old Navy, remixed * Linen pants: Forever 21 * Wedges: Old Navy, remixed * Necklace: craft fair in Chile, remixed

Hey Monday, what's shakin'? Things are finally settling down on my end. I'm still busy, and we're currently internet-less at home, so I'll still be a bit scarce for awhile. But I feel like I'm slowly but surely getting back on track. The good news is that I'll be able to reveal some of my recent developments this week, and I won't have to be quite so damn vague about everything! More good news is that I was over the flipping moon about this outfit. It's been hot as blazes in Chicago lately (other than yesterday, which was gloriously cool), so I knew I had to bust out my fabulously flowy linen pants. I don't often pair light neutrals with other light neutrals, but it felt right in this case, and I just loved the outcome, especially with the darker, heavier choker necklace to ground everything. Sorry for the wrinkles, though. Linen is great and all, but good gravy it can hold a crease!

Even more good news is that I can announce the winner of the happy pappy vintage giveaway today! Congratulations to comment #16, Alice! I'll send you an email right away. For those of you who didn't win, don't fret. I have another giveaway in the works. Don't let it ruin your Monday.

Title song: Danny Williams, "White on White"

Giveaway Reminder: The Happy Pappy Vintage

Due to the fact that I'm crazy with life right now, I'm giving y'alls the rest of the weekend to enter the happy pappy vintage giveaway. Get to it, if you haven't! I'll announce a winner on Monday, July 26.

Also, if you have any last lingering questions to preguntarme, git 'er done! I'll post the first of the answers posts next week!

Giveaway: The Happy Pappy Vintage

Okay, everyone, it's going to be a good day. It's Friday, for one, which is awesome, but there's also some awesomeness going on here at Between Laundry Days as well! I've been so excited to post this all week! I'm very happy to introduce BLD's first sponsor, the happy pappy vintage. Emily has an adorable Etsy shop, with awesome, and totally reasonably priced vintage clothing and accessories. In order to properly introduce her to all of you, she has been kind enough to offer up one of her lovely vintage bags for this week's giveaway!!

To enter the giveaway, simply visit the happy pappy vintage and find your favorite item from her shop. Then, leave a comment on this post with the following info:

• Your favorite item from the happy pappy vintage
  
• A valid email address (please note that any entries without a valid email address will be deleted)
• One entry per person
  

The giveaway will run until next Friday, July 23!!! And if there's something in her shop that you're just dying to have, Emily is offering a 15% discount (pre-shipping) to all BLD readers! Simply message the code "betweenlaundrydays" to her when you're checking out. Good luck!!

UPDATE: Due to general craziness, I'll announce the winner of this contest bright and early Monday morning (7/26). Git it done, folks!

Orient watch giveaway winner: The winner of the Orient watch is the lovely Emily of Sartoriography! Emily, I'll send you an email shortly. Congrats!

Interested in sponsoring Between Laundry Days? Send me an email and let's chat!

Giveaway: Orient Automatic Watch

Hey guys! I've checked out for the week, but I wanted to make sure that you all have something to do while I'm gone. ;) I'm thrilled to be giving away this lovely watch from Orient USA. I've recently started loving watches (there's something much cooler about checking the time on a watch instead of a cell phone, isn't there?), so I'm pretty bummed that I'm not eligible to win this one! And Orient USA has great stuff, like the CET05001B and the 2ER00002D (they may not be catchy names, but they're rad watches!).

To enter, simply follow Between Laundry Days (with Google Reader, Bloglovin, whatever you prefer!). Let me know how you follow, and leave a comment on this post! Make sure to include a valid email address! The giveaway will be open until Friday, July 16 at noon.

Good luck!!

*Unfortunately, this giveaway is only open to US readers. Sorry, international contingent, I'll have something for you soon, I promise!
**Don't forget to click on the "bld faq" link in my header to ask me your burning questions!

Cupcake Fedora Boutique Giveaway Winner!

...and the winner of the Cupcake Fedora Boutique giveaway is...

Millie, of Interrobangs Anonymous! Millie, I'll send you an email to get your mailing address. Congratulations!

Giveaway: Cupcake Fedora Boutique

To me, winter is about wearing hats. Someone told me once that 90% of your body heat escapes from your head. Whether or not that is true, it stuck with me, so when it's cold outside (and especially now that my luscious locks don't provide much insulation) I always reach for a cozy head-covering. So I'm pretty psyched to offer up a hat for this giveaway. And not just a hat, but an adorable, completely unique, made with love, fedora from Cupcake Fedora Boutique. In their own words, Cupcake Fedora Boutique "takes vintage embellishments and materials and turns them into one-of-a-kind fedoras, headbands, and other sweet accessories!" I just love their darling little Etsy shop (have you seen their headbands??), and I'm thrilled to be giving away the fabulous brown fedora shown below.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. In your comment, tell me your name and your favorite winter accessory (oh, and make sure you leave a valid email address!). I'll draw a winner on Sunday, January 10. Good luck!

Maurices Giveaway Winner!

...and the winner is...

La Historiadora de Moda, of Fashionable Academics!!! I'll be emailing you shortly to get the address where I can send the gift card. Thanks for entering, everyone!

Giveaway: Maurices

I'm very excited to announce that I'm hosting another giveaway this week! This time, a $20 gift card to Maurices is up for grabs. I started shopping at Maurices when I was in junior high, looking for dresses for our "formal" dances, so this store holds a particular cache of memories, which is kind of unusual for me.

So, to enter, you simply make sure you're following Between Laundry Days, then add a comment on this post with a valid email address. In that comment, tell me what item from www.maurices.com you'd buy with your $20 gift card! I'll draw a winner on Sunday, December 20. Good luck!

Also, I wanted to let you all know that there are some new necklaces up for sale now at Objects Found! A couple are personal favorites of mine; I hope you like!

Nepali by TDM Design Giveaway Winner

...and the winner is...

Amy, of Love Always, Amy, a gorgeously delightful blog! Amy, I'll send you an email to work out the logistics. Congratulations! I hope everyone is having a delightful holiday weekend!

Giveaway: Nepali by TDM Designs

Well, the goodies just keep comin'! I'm so excited to announce another giveaway, this time hosted by Nepali by TDM Design. Nepali by TDM Design (it's a mouthful, I know) "works directly with predominantly women cottage industries in Nepal to support women weavers and women craftsmanship in Nepal." This kind of microcredit* project is something I've been passionate about for many years, so I'm thrilled to host a giveaway with a company that is doing good with women around the world.

I'll be giving away this gorgeous Kiki Cashmere Neck Warmer to one lucky reader. The actual scarf for the giveaway is a gorgeous toffee/sand color, and is delightfully soft. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. In your comment, please be sure to include your email address (e.g. clarebld at yahoo dot com). One entry per person, please. The giveaway is open to international readers, so comment away! I will announce a winner on November 28.

*You can learn more about microcredit here:
Nepali by TDM Design
kiva.org
Grameen Bank (founded by Muhammad Yunus, winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize)
The Microcredit Summit Campaign

I've Played All My Cards

Okay, team, let's get to business right away! The winner of the gorgeous Ava Cupchain Earrings from Stella & Dot is Danielle from Fell 4 Fashion!! Congrats, Danielle! Fell 4 Fashion is one of my favorite blogs, and one of the reasons I originally wanted to start my own blog. Enjoy the earrings, Danielle, I can't wait to see how you style them!

Outfit details:
White t-shirt: Sears, remixed
Leggings: Filene's Basement
Navy blazer: Boy's section of Unique Thrift
Jazz shoes: Seychelles, remixed
Navy rayon scarf: Forever 21
Purse: Beta Boutique, courtesy of Keiko Lynn's giveaway

Where:
Dinner, bowling night

I figured that today would be a good day to debut this absolutely stunning handbag that I won in one of Keiko Lynn's recent giveaways. It's from Beta Boutique, and it is infinitely more gorgeous in person than these pictures can convey. I wore this outfit for a night out on the town with friends. Joe took me out to dinner first, and we showed up for bowling full yet happy. I loved this outfit too, especially this blazer. I'd been looking for a cheap blazer for a long time, and finally found this cute little double-breasted number when I went thrifting with Jennine awhile ago. Since it's made for tiny boys, the sleeves are cropped, which I actually love, and it fits like a dream.

Title song: ABBA, "The Winner Takes All"

Stella & Dot Giveaway Reminder!!

Today is the last day to enter my Stella & Dot giveaway for these gorgeous Ava Cupchain Earrings. Don't forget to enter!!

Giveaway: Stella & Dot

You know what would look great with this outfit (which will debut in full later on!)? A pair of these unbelievably gorgeous earrings from Stella & Dot!

Well, y'all are pretty lucky, because one of you will totally win these earrings! Stella & Dot was generous enough to offer a pair of these for one of my readers, and I'm happy (and a bit jealous, not gonna lie!) to offer them up for you guys. All you have to do is follow Between Laundry Days and then post a comment on this post (make sure you're email is there!). I'll draw a winner at random next Saturday, November 14 (I almost decided to end it on Friday the 13th, but I decided that might not be the best idea...).

For those of you that want your Stella & Dot goodies now, head on over to their website now! All Between Laundry Days readers will receive 20%-off any purchase from Stella & Dot. Just email Rebekah to get your discount! I would love to get this gorgeous enamel cuff bracelet:

Good luck, everyone!

What's a Wolf Without a Pack

Outfit details:
Magenta shirt: Old Navy, remixed
Dress, worn as skirt: New Order, remixed
Tights: Hue, remixed
Belt: thrifted, remixed
Brogues: Andiamo, remixed
Crocheted bib necklace: handmade by the lovely Noel from the owls are not what they seem

Where:
Home, downtown, long walk around town

I was so excited to win the giveaway for this gorgeous necklace, lovingly made by Noel from one of my favorite blogs, the owls are not what they seem!! It's such a beautiful creation, and I'm so excited about showing it off as much as possible. I even did some fancy photo editing to highlight this beauty. (See the fuzzy edges? Yeah, that's right.)

I also found out that I won the Beta Boutique giveaway from Keiko Lynn! I guess my karma is givin' me a few kickbacks for the whole job thing. Between the sweet thrifting booty, my free laundry room finds, and winning these giveaways, it's almost like I never got laid off at all! Well, maybe not quite... I also had a bit of karma at the DMV today. Every DMV I've ever been to has grumptastic employees wearing their grumpiest pants. This one, however, was filled with smiling, laughing employees who wanted me to look "glamorous" for my ID photo. I totally did.

This outfit was one of those ones that just came together perfectly. I'm pretty sure it was 90% crocheted necklace, 10% me. But I still loved the way the layering worked, and the neutral base with the pop of color from the shirt. I felt like it was flattering, interesting, feminine, chic, and a little bit fun. Plus, I adore these brogues. But seriously, 90% necklace. Oh, and I hope you guys aren't too sick of these autumnal backdrops. I'm totally drinking in fall while it's here. Don't worry, though. After a few weeks all the leaves will have fallen and you'll be treated to dead trees behind my lovely outfits. :)

Title song: Emily Haines, "Winning"

Etsy Giveaway Winner!

First I want to thank you all so much for your wonderful comments and encouragement during the past few weeks. It is truly what made me push forward and get my Etsy shop off the ground.

Speaking of Etsy shops, I have chosen a name. I love all your comments and ideas, and I love that so many of you wanted me to stick with Between Laundry Days. It was a very close race (that went on in my head), but I finally decided to go with Objects Found. It encompasses the way I feel about my jewelry, a play-on-words on found object art, and as much as I want it to be connected to the blog, it is truly a different adventure for me and I wanted to let it have its moment.



...so without any further ado, the winner is....

HUzzah! Vintage

Congratulations, my dear! I love your blog, I adore your Etsy shop, and I'm excited to send you your first choice in Objects Found necklaces! Get in touch with me ASAP, my dear, and we'll work out the details!

Etsy Giveaway Reminder!

Hi everyone! Just a friendly reminder that tonight is your last chance to enter my giveaway! Just for some tempting eye candy, here are a few more pictures to some of the necklaces you may not have seen yet!

Good luck, everyone! I'll be announcing the winner sometime tomorrow morning, to coincide with the official opening of the Etsy shop!!